From the pine-covered slopes of the Rila, Pirin, and Rodopi Mountains to the beaches of the Black Sea, Bulgaria is blessed with a countryside rich in natural resources. The history of the Bulgarian people, however, is not as serene as the landscape: crumbling Greco-Thracian ruins and Soviet-style high-rises attest to centuries of turmoil and political struggle. Though Bulgaria’s flagging economy and dual-pricing system for foreigners can dampen the mood, travelers willing to make the trek to the beautiful Black Sea Coast, cosmopolitan Sofia, and picturesque villages will be greatly rewarded. And until the country succumbs to globalization, you can bet that Bulgaria will remain happily free of crowds.
Facts And Figures Official Name: Republic of Bulgaria. Capital: Sofia. Major Cities: Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas. Population: 7,263,000. Religion: Bulgarian Orthodox ...more
For more info on opportunities across Europe, see Beyond Tourism . American University in Bulgaria , Blagoevgrad 2700, Bulgaria (☎ www.aubg.bg). University based on the American liberal arts model ...more
Far from the concrete Soviet grayscape you might expect, Sofia (pop. 1,370,000) is a city of magnificent domed cathedrals, tranquil parks, and grand old buildings, set against the backdrop of Mt. Vitosha ...more
Churches, galleries, Roman ruins, and 19th-century National Revival structures pack picturesque Plovdiv (pop. 350,000). The city’s historical and cultural treasures are concentrated among the Trimontium ...more
☎ (Велико Търново) Veliko Turnovo (pop. 66,000), on the steep hills above the Yantra River, has watched over Bulgaria for more than 5000 years. The city’s residents led the 1185 national ...more
Expansive beaches, a Mediterranean climate, open-air nightlife, and frequent summer festivals draw visitors to Varna (pop. 312,000) on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Roman ruins and ancient gold ...more
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